Spartans Rally to Reach Regional Finals

Cayuga Community College overcame a slow start and a strong effort from Jamestown Community College to earn a hard-fought home playoff win Wednesday at Falcon Park. 

Trailing at halftime for the first time this season, the #1 Spartans rallied with three second-half goals, including the game-winner by Jake Botterill with two minutes remaining, to earn the 4-3 semifinal win over the eighth-seeded Jayhawks. 

Cayuga advances to the NJCAA North A District Finals against Mohawk Valley Community College. The match is Sunday, Oct. 27, at 3:30 p.m., at neutral site Herkimer College.

Both Cayuga and Jamestown threatened early in the match, but the Spartans were the first to get on the board when Bigad Sid scored off a rebound. The Jayhawks responded quickly, though, scoring twice in the final 20 minutes of the first half to lead 2-1 at the break.

The Jayhawks held the Spartans at bay early in the second half, and Cayuga had a goal taken off the board inside of 31 minutes. Botterill, though, scored his first goal of the match two minutes later to tie the game at two.

Cayuga took its second lead of the match minutes later when Reece Harper knocked in a centering pass from Will Fearon. The Spartans held the 3-2 advantage until the Jayhawks evened the match with 11 minutes to play.

In the dramatic closing minutes, the Spartans turned away several Jayhawks' scoring chances before capitalizing on their own opportunity. With two minutes to play, Botterill delivered the deciding goal on a centering pass from Jordan Mati.

Botterill finished with two goals and an assist, and Fearon had two assists. Sid and Harper had goals, and Mati had the final assist.

Sunday's Finals will be Cayuga's second match of the season against the #4 Hawks. In September, Cayuga defeated Mohawk Valley 2-1 on the road.